Côte-Nord activists protest against rising femicides in Quebec

The “Non aux féminicides – Côte-Nord” movement held a protest in Sept-Îles, Quebec, in front of the offices of Member of the National Assembly Kateri Champagne Jourdain. Supported by the Regroupement des femmes de la Côte-Nord, the mobilization aims to denounce the rising number of femicides and demand government action to prevent violence against women.

Participants presented a basket containing 16 stones, each inscribed with the name of a woman killed in a femicide in Quebec since the beginning of the year. Organizers noted that 13 of these 16 cases occurred within the context of domestic violence. The group emphasized that these deaths are not inevitable and that the government possesses the necessary means to intervene and prevent such tragedies.

Heidi Thériault, mobilization lead for the Regroupement des femmes de la Côte-Nord, stated that the region experiences twice the rate of domestic and sexual violence compared to other parts of Quebec. Similar demonstrations have also taken place in Forestville and Baie-Comeau to increase visibility for these issues.